Liquid handling vessel

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure describes a liquid handling vessel including a bottom surface; and a side wall protruding from the bottom surface, the side wall comprising one or more grooves located on an outer surface of the side wall, wherein the one or more grooves are configured for liquid storage.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/840,779, filed on Apr. 30, 2019, the entire contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a liquid handling vessel, and moreparticularly to a liquid handling vessel that has one or more grooves.

BACKGROUND

Liquid handling vessels are used to hold and pour out liquid contents.One common challenge shared by such vessels is residual liquid drippingdown the outer side wall of the liquid handling vessels during or afterpouring of the liquid contents. Such dripping of residual liquids canresult in undesirable consequences. Sometimes the residual liquid is astream of liquid or droplets of liquid. The residual liquid may get onthe hands of the user or the surface on which the liquid handling vesselis placed.

For example, when a user takes a drink from a drinking vessel such ascoffee mugs or a drinking glass (i.e., the user transfers the liquidcontent of the drinking vessel to the user's mouth) residual liquid fromthe drinking vessel (e.g., coffee, water, juice, tea) often travels downthe side of the drinking vessel and onto the surface where drinkingvessel is placed, resulting in stains or a mess which requires cleaningup. The residual liquid can also transfer from the outer sidewall of theliquid handling vessels to the user's hands (e.g., when the user isholding a vessel), which is undesirable. Similarly, when a user pourspaint out from a paint can, residual paint from the paint can oftentravel down the side of the paint can.

A number of solutions are currently available for mitigating theundesirable effects of residual liquid dripping down the side of aliquid handling vessel. One such solution is placing a coaster betweenthe liquid handling vessel and the surface on which the vessel is placedto prevent the residual liquid from making contact with the surface onwhich the vessel is placed. However, this solution results in theresidual liquid making contact with the coaster, which can result instaining of the coaster and/or require cleaning of the coaster afteruse.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a liquid handlingvessel that can include a side wall and a bottom surface attached to thebottom edge of the side wall, where the side wall includes one or moregrooves located on the outer surface of the side wall.

Some liquid handling vessels include a bottom surface, and a side wallprotruding from the bottom surface in a vertical direction, the sidewall comprising one or more grooves located on an outer surface of theside wall, wherein the one or more grooves are configured for liquidstorage.

Some liquid handling vessels include a cylindrical side wall defining areceptacle configured for liquid storage, and a groove located on anouter surface of the cylindrical side wall, the groove being orientedcircumferentially around the cylindrical side wall, the groove defininga depression in the side wall for retaining a volume of liquid, whereinthe groove is configured to capture a volume of liquid.

In some embodiments, the side wall is cylindrical and the one or moregrooves are oriented circumferentially around the side wall. In someembodiments, the one or more grooves include a height of greater than0.080 inches and less than 0.150 inches, the height being measured inthe vertical direction. In some embodiments, side wall includes athickness greater than 0.080 inches and less than 0.150 inches, thethickness being defined from an inner surface of the side wall to theouter surface of the side wall.

In some embodiments, each of the one or more grooves comprise a depthinto the side wall of greater than 0.040 inches and less than 0.100inches. In some embodiments, the one or more grooves are located betweenthe top edge of the side wall and the top edge of where the handle isattached to the side wall. In some embodiments, a weight of the liquidhandling vessel is greater than 200 grams and less than 400 grams. Insome embodiments, a material of the liquid handling comprises 50-60% ofchina clay, 30-45% of quartz, 6-12% of feldspar, and 2-4% of steatite.In some embodiments, a liquid capacity of the liquid handling vessel isless than 15 fluid ounces.

In some embodiments, the liquid handling vessel includes a handleattached to the outer surface of the side wall. In some embodiments, theliquid handling vessel is a drinking container. In some embodiments, theliquid handling vessel is a coffee mug. In some embodiments, the liquidhandling vessel is a drinking glass. In some embodiments, the liquidhandling vessel is a paint can. In some embodiments, the one or moregrooves are located closer to the top edge of the side wall than thebottom edge of the side wall. In some embodiments, an upper-most edge ofeach of the one or more grooves is located less than 1 cm from the topedge of the side wall. In some embodiments, at least one of the one ormore grooves is substantially parallel to a top edge of the side wall.

In some embodiments, the one or more grooves have a rectangularcross-sectional profile. In some embodiments, the one or more grooveshave a fish-hook shaped cross-sectional profile. In some embodiments,the one or more grooves have a trapezoidal cross-sectional profile. Insome embodiments, the one or more grooves have a rhomboidalcross-sectional profile. In some embodiments, the groove has across-sectional dimension that is capable of retaining a volume of theliquid content.

In some embodiments, the one or more grooves are located between the topedge of the side wall and the top edge of where the handle is attachedto the side wall. In some embodiments, the top edge of the one or moregrooves are located less than 5 cm, less than 4 cm, less than 3.5 cm,less than 3 cm, less than 2.5 cm, less than 2.0 cm, less than 1.5 cm, orless than 1 cm from the top edge of the side wall. In some embodiments,at least one of the one or more grooves are substantially parallel tothe top edge of the side wall.

In some embodiments, the side wall and the bottom surface meet at anangle of between 135° and 45°. In some embodiments, the side wall andthe bottom surface meet at an angle of between 120° and 60°. In someembodiments, the side wall and the bottom surface meet at an angle ofbetween 105° and 75°. In some embodiments, the side wall and the bottomsurface meet at an angle of between 95° and 85°. In some embodiments,the side wall and the bottom surface meet at an angle of about 90°.

The details of one or more embodiments of the disclosure are set forthin the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from thedescription and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a liquid handlingvessel according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a liquid handlingvessel having a handle, according to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A-3D are cross-sectional schematic diagrams of variousembodiments of grooves that can form a part of liquid handling vesselsaccording to the present disclosure. FIG. 3A shows an example of agroove having a rectangular cross-sectional profile. FIG. 3B shows anexample of a groove having a trapezoidal cross-sectional profile. FIG.3C shows an example of a groove having a fish-hook shapedcross-sectional profile. FIG. 3D shows an example of a groove having arhomboidal cross-sectional profile.

FIGS. 4A-4C show schematic diagrams of various patterns of grooves thatcan form a part of liquid handling vessels according to the presentdisclosure. FIG. 4A shows a plurality of grooves that are parallel toeach other and to the top edge of the side wall. FIG. 4B shows aplurality of grooves that are interconnected to each other. FIG. 4Cshows a groove having wave-like shape.

FIGS. 5A-5C show schematic diagrams of various vessels according to thepresent disclosure having differently angled side walls. FIG. 5A shows aschematic diagram of a vessel where the side wall forms a right angle(i.e., 90°) with respect to the bottom surface. FIGS. 5B and 5C showschematic diagrams of vessels where the side wall forms an oblique angle(i.e., greater or less than 90°) with respect to the bottom surface.

FIGS. 6A-B show photographic examples of coffee mugs according to thepresent disclosure. FIG. 6A shows a photographic example of a coffee mugaccording to the present disclosure. FIG. 6B shows a photographicexample of a coffee mug according to the present disclosure with dripsof coffee being prevented from traveling down the outer side wall of thecoffee mug by the groove on the outer side wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This specification describes liquid containing vessels with liquidretention features to capture, retain, and/or absorb residual liquid.The liquid retention features can be implemented in the form of one ormore grooves on the outer side wall of liquid containing vessels toprevent or reduce residual liquid or droplets from traveling down theouter side wall of the liquid handling vessel, making contact with thesurface on which the liquid containing vessels are placed, and/or makingcontact with a hand of a user.

FIG. 1 illustrates a liquid handling vessel 100 including a side wall102 and a bottom surface 104. The liquid handling vessel 100 iscylindrical and is 4.1 inches tall and 3.4 inches in diameter, but otherdimensions can be used. The side wall 102 is sized to structurallysupport the liquid handling vessel 100. The side wall 102 is 0.125inches thick, but other thickness can be used. For example, in somecases, the side wall is greater than 0.080 inches and less than 0.150inches. The inside of the liquid handling vessel 100 defines areceptacle for liquid. The liquid capacity of the liquid handling vessel100 is 11 oz for an 8 point loading and 13 oz for a full loading, butsome liquid handling vessels have different capacities. When empty, theweight of the liquid handling vessel 100 is about 300 grams.

The side wall 102 has a liquid retention feature in the form of groove101 on the outer surface of the side wall 102. The groove 101 is longand narrow indentations built into a side wall 102 of the liquidcontaining vessel 100, generally sized and positioned for allowing theresidual liquid to enter the groove. The groove 101 is also considered adepression or a channel on the entire circumference of side wall 102 ofthe liquid containing vessel 100.

The groove 101 is located on the upper half 102 a of the outer side wall102. The upper half 102 a of the side wall 102 is positioned furtherfrom the bottom surface 104 of the liquid handling vessel. The lowerhalf 102 b of the side wall 102 is adjacent to the bottom surface 104.The groove 101 in the liquid handling vessel 100 is configured to retainresidual liquid. The groove 101 is 0.125 inches in height (verticaldirection) and 0.0625 inches in depth (radial direction), but othergroove dimensions can be used. In some cases, a depth of the groove intoa side wall is greater than 0.080 inches and less than 0.150 inches. Inthis way, groove 101 occupies half of the side wall 102 of the liquidhandling vessel 100. The groove 101 is a closed loop and is parallel orsubstantially parallel to the top edge 103 of the liquid handlingvessel. Liquid handling vessel 100 is made from Stoneware and includesthe following material content: China Clay 50-60%, Quartz 30-45%,Feldspar 6-12%, and Steatite 2-4%, but other materials can be used.

FIG. 2 illustrates a liquid handling vessel 200 that is substantiallysimilar to the liquid handling vessel 100 but also includes a handle204. Liquid handling vessel 200 is in the form of a coffee mug. Liquidhandling vessel 200 includes a groove 201 located within an upper half202 a of a side wall 202. The groove 201 is located between a top edge203 of the side wall 202 and the upper-most edge of where the handle 204meets the side wall 202.

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate a liquid handling vessel 300 that issubstantially similar to the liquid handling vessel 100 or the liquidhandling vessel 200, includes various types of grooves 302, 304, 306,308 on an outer side wall 310 of the liquid handling vessel 300.

FIG. 3A illustrates a rectangular cross-sectioned groove 302 located onthe outer side wall 310 of the liquid handling vessel 300. Therectangular cross-sectioned groove 302 is substantially similar to thegroove 101 of liquid handling vessel 100. The rectangularcross-sectioned groove 302 has side walls 312 that are straight angledrelative to a bottom surface 314 of the groove 302. The rectangularcross-sectioned groove 302 occupies less than half of the side wall 312of the liquid handling vessel 300. The location of the rectangularcross-sectioned groove 302 aids in the groove's ability to capture andretain the residual liquid or droplets that travel down the outer sidewall 310 of the liquid handling vessel 300. Dripping residual fluid isthen captured and retained in the groove 302. In some cases, theresidual fluid is absorbed in the groove 302 by an absorbing porousmaterial, such as a sponge.

FIG. 3B illustrates a trapezoidal cross-sectioned groove 304 located onthe outer side wall 310 of the liquid handling vessel 300. Thetrapezoidal cross-sectioned groove 304 has an inner surface 316 that iswider than an opening on the side wall 310. The side walls 318 of thegroove 302 are angled inward to accommodate the wider inner surface 316relative to the opening on the side wall 310.

FIG. 3C illustrates a fish-hook cross-sectioned groove 306 located onthe outer side wall 310 of the liquid handling vessel 300. The fish-hookcross-sectioned groove 306 includes a curved inner surface 318 thatdefines a reservoir 320 located at the bottom of the groove 306. Thereservoir 320 is sized to contain an amount of residual fluid.

FIG. 3D illustrates a rhomboidal cross-sectioned groove 308 located onthe outer side wall 310 of the liquid handling vessel 300. Therhomboidal cross-sectioned groove 308 includes a bottom surface 322 andside walls 324 that are parallel and angled relative to the bottomsurface 322. The shape of the groove 308 captures the water in areservoir 324.

In addition to the various types of grooves 302, 304, 306, 308 shown inFIGS. 3A-3D, other cross-sectional shapes can be used. In some cases,the cross-section can vary along the circumference of the outer sidewall of the liquid handling vessel. The specific groove chosen candepend on the manufacturing process to produce the liquid handlingvessel. In some cases, retention of the residual liquid by the groovesis dependent on the physical characteristics of the liquid (e.g.,viscosity, thixotropicity, and/or hydrophobicity). The geometricfeatures of the grooves take into account the physical characteristicsof the liquid and can be sized appropriately for an intended liquid. Forexample, liquid handling vessels for highly viscous liquids can havegrooves with larger cross-sectional dimensions. In some implementations,the cross-sectional area of the groove can be small (e.g., less than1×10⁻⁶ m²), large (e.g., 100×10⁻⁶ m²), or somewhere between. In somecases, the height of the groove is 0.125 inches, a depth is 0.0625inches, and a dimeter of the liquid handling vessel is 3.4 inches. Inaddition, coatings can be used to alter the hydrophobicity of the liquidhandling vessel and/or grooves.

While only one groove is depicted in liquid handling vessel 100, 200,300, the grooves can be implemented as multiple grooves or as patternsof one or more grooves on the side walls. In some implementations, aliquid handling vessel can include, on its outer side wall, two or moregrooves, such that residual liquid that is not captured by theupper-most groove can be captured by other grooves located below theupper-most groove. Two or more grooves allow for a greater total volumeof residual liquid that can be captured and retained by the grooves ascompared to a single groove.

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate various liquid handling vessels 400 a, 400 b, 400c that are substantially similar to the previously described liquidhandling vessels. Each of the liquid handling vessels 400 a, 400 b, 400c include a different arrangement of grooves on an outer side wall ofthe liquid handling vessel 400 a, 400 b, 400 c.

FIG. 4A illustrates a liquid handling vessels 400 a with a first groove402 vertically separated from a second groove 404. The grooves 402, 404are substantially similar to groove 101 of liquid handling vessels 100.The grooves 402, 404 are arranged circumferentially around the outerside wall of the liquid handling vessel 400 a. The grooves 402, 404 arearranged in the upper half of the liquid handling vessel 400 a. In someimplementations, more than two grooves can be used. In someimplementations, any combination of cross-sections can be used.

FIG. 4B illustrates a liquid handling vessels 400 b with a patteredgroove 406. The pattered groove 406 is arranged circumferentially aroundthe outer side wall of the liquid handling vessel 400 b. The patteredgroove 406 is arranged in the upper half of the liquid handling vessel400 b. The pattered groove 406 defines a lattice of pathways for theresidual fluid. The lattice includes a top groove that is parallel tothe base of the liquid handling vessels 400 b and a bottom groove thatis also parallel to the base of the liquid handling vessels 400 b. Thelattice includes various interconnected pathways defining a diamondpattern. In some implementations, other patterns or lattices can beused. In some implementations, multiple patterns can be used. Thepatterns can be determined from the properties of the liquid or forascetics.

FIG. 4C illustrates a liquid handling vessels 400 c with a wave-likegroove 408. The wave-like groove 408 is arranged circumferentiallyaround the outer side wall of the liquid handling vessel 400 c. Thewave-like groove 408 is arranged in the upper half of the liquidhandling vessel 400 c. The wave-like groove 408 has a height thatcyclically varies along a circumference of the liquid handling vessel400 c. In some implementations, other curves or pathways can be used. Insome implementations, multiple patterns can be used. The patterns can bedetermined from the properties of the liquid or for ascetics.

In some implementations, a vertical height of the one or more grooves onthe outer side wall of a liquid handling vessel is different thanpreviously described. For example, for a drinking vessel (e.g., coffeemug, tea cup, and/or drinking glass) may have one or more grooves thatare just below where the user's lower lip typically would make contactwith the outer side wall of the drinking vessel. For example, a top-mostedge of a groove can be less than 5 cm from the top edge of the sidewall.

In instances where a drinking vessel has a handle attached to the sidewall of the drinking vessel, the groove may be located between the topedge of the side wall and the upper-most edge of where the handle meetsthe side wall of the drinking vessel. Such placement of a groove canprevent or reduce residual liquid drips from reaching the handle beforebeing captured, retained, or absorbed by the groove.

In other instances, a liquid handling vessel with grooves located in theupper half of the outer side wall can reduce or minimize the totaltravel distance of the residual liquid down the side wall, therebyallowing for trapping and retention of the residual liquid before theresidual liquid has a chance to gain speed and/or momentum, and tominimize the amount of residual liquid that remains on the outer surfaceof the side wall, which may result in staining or necessitate cleaning.

While the liquid handling vessels previously described are cylindrical,other profiles can be used. Some liquid handling vessels are square or arounded square. Some liquid handling vessels are side walls angledrelative to a bottom surface. Several examples are illustrated in FIGS.5A-5C.

FIG. 5A illustrates a liquid handling vessel 500 a that has a rightangle (i.e., 90°) with respect to a bottom surface. Liquid handlingvessel 500 a is substantially similar to the liquid handling vesselspreviously described.

FIG. 5B illustrates a liquid handling vessel 500 b that has an obliqueangle with respect to a bottom surface. A top opening is larger indiameter than a bottom diameter. Liquid handling vessel 500 b canresemble the form of a martini glass. Liquid handling vessel 500 b stillmaintains the ability to retain a volume of residual liquid in thechannels formed by the one or more grooves on the outer side wallbecause of surface tension and “teapot” effects of the liquid aspreviously described.

FIG. 5C illustrates a liquid handling vessel 500 c that has an obliqueangle with respect to a bottom surface, but the top opening is smallerin diameter than a bottom diameter. Such a design can lower the centerof gravity of the liquid contained in the liquid handling vessel 500 cand improve the overall stability of the liquid handling vessel 500 c.

FIG. 6A shows a photograph of a coffee mug 600 having a single groove602 that is located in the upper half of the outer side wall. The groove602 is substantially similar to the groove 101 in liquid handling vessel100. The groove 602 in the coffee mug 600 is substantially parallel tothe top edge of the side wall and is located between the top edge of theside wall and the top edge of where the handle meets the side wall. Inother words, the groove 602 is located above the top edge of where thehandle meets the side wall.

FIG. 6B shows a photograph of the coffee mug 600 after a user has takena sip of coffee from the coffee mug 600. Residual coffee 604 drips abovethe groove and residual coffee 604 is captured and retained by thegroove 602. Notably, there is no residual coffee below the groove 602,demonstrating that the coffee mug 600 having a single groove 602 that islocated in the upper half of the outer side wall and above the top edgeof where the handle meets the side wall can trap and retain residualcoffee 604 from traveling down the outer side wall of the coffee mug 600beyond the groove 602.

A number of embodiments of the systems and methods have been described.Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid handling vessel comprising: a bottomsurface; and a side wall protruding from the bottom surface in avertical direction, the side wall comprising one or more grooves locatedon an outer surface of the side wall, wherein the one or more groovesare configured for liquid storage.
 2. The liquid handling vessel ofclaim 1, wherein the side wall is cylindrical and the one or moregrooves are oriented circumferentially around the side wall.
 3. Theliquid handling vessel of claim 1, wherein each of the one or moregrooves comprise a height of greater than 0.080 inches and less than0.150 inches, the height being measured in the vertical direction. 4.The liquid handling vessel of claim 1, wherein the side wall comprises athickness greater than 0.080 inches and less than 0.150 inches, thethickness being defined from an inner surface of the side wall to theouter surface of the side wall.
 5. The liquid handling vessel of claim1, wherein each of the one or more grooves comprise a depth into theside wall of greater than 0.040 inches and less than 0.100 inches. 6.The liquid handling vessel of claim 1, further comprising a handleattached to the outer surface of the side wall.
 7. The liquid handlingvessel of claim 6, wherein the one or more grooves are located between atop edge of the side wall and the top edge of where the handle isattached to the side wall.
 8. The liquid handling vessel of claim 1,wherein a weight of the liquid handling vessel is greater than 200 gramsand less than 400 grams.
 9. The liquid handling vessel of claim 1,wherein a material of the liquid handling vessel comprises 50-60% ofchina clay, 30-45% of quartz, 6-12% of feldspar, and 2-4% of steatite.10. The liquid handling vessel of claim 1, wherein a liquid capacity ofthe liquid handling vessel is less than 15 fluid ounces.
 11. The liquidhandling vessel of claim 1, wherein the liquid handling vessel is adrinking container.
 12. The liquid handling vessel of claim 1, whereinthe liquid handling vessel is a paint can.
 13. The liquid handlingvessel of claim 1, wherein an upper-most edge of each of the one or moregrooves is located less than 1 cm from a top edge of the side wall. 14.The liquid handling vessel of claim 1, wherein at least one of the oneor more grooves is substantially parallel to a top edge of the sidewall.
 15. The liquid handling vessel of claim 1, wherein at least one ofthe one or more grooves have a rectangular cross-sectional profile. 16.The liquid handling vessel of claim 1, wherein at least one of the oneor more grooves have a fish-hook shaped cross-sectional profile.
 17. Theliquid handling vessel of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one ormore grooves have a trapezoidal cross-sectional profile.
 18. The liquidhandling vessel of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or moregrooves have a rhomboidal cross-sectional profile.
 19. The liquidhandling vessel of claim 1, wherein the groove has a cross-sectionaldimension that is capable of retaining a volume of the liquid.
 20. Aliquid handling vessel comprising: a cylindrical side wall defining areceptacle configured for liquid storage; and a groove located on anouter surface of the cylindrical side wall, the groove being orientedcircumferentially around the cylindrical side wall, the groove defininga depression in the side wall for retaining a volume of liquid, whereinthe groove is configured to capture a volume of liquid.